Kindergarten and First Grade students should:
gather data about themselves and their surrounding to answer questions that involve multiple responses. sort and classify objects and organize data according to the attributes of the objects. represent data to convey results at a glance using concrete objects, pictures and numbers.
Young students can utilize Excel templates created by the classroom teacher.  Whole class graphs are an excellent way to display data gathered by these students.
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Second and Third Grade students should:
formulate questions they want to investigate collect data using observations, measurements,surveys or experiments. use graphs to analyze data and present it to an audience for in and outside the classroom.
Second and third Graders can use templates and begin creating simple charts using chart wizard in Excel.  Whole class as well as individual charts and graphs can be created by these students.    Young students want to gather information about themselves.
Fourth and Fifth Grade students should:
formulate multiple questions for an extended investigation compare and analyze representations to determine which aspects they should be highlight or obscure . use the data as a vehicle to formulate answers to questions and hypothesis and design further questions to study and explore. look beyond themselves and the classroom and investigate larger issues and questions.
Fourth and fifth graders build and format charts and graphs independently.  They explore and make decisions on what design best displays the information they have gathered.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
©Kathy Adkins, 2000